Friday, April 16, 2010

Apple, The New McDonald's

Apple banned Mark Fiore's app for his political cartoons under Section 3.3.14 from the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement. Apparently it's a CYA clause that states:

Applications may be rejected if they contain content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.) that in Apple’s reasonable judgment may be found objectionable, for example, materials that may be considered obscene, pornographic, or defamatory.

I'm thinking they want to put a hard lock down on anything remotely adult oriented so they can make a bid for putting iPads in the hands of young students. Basically by adopting McDonald's strategy they start generating familiarity at a young age to propagate brand recognition.

It's clearly an effective strategy, but it makes it a less desirable device for adults and media outlets. Will periodicals and newspapers be prevented from making an app because they can't include editorials?

Update: Apple is asking Mark Fiore to resubmit his app after the onslaught of bad press generated by the rejection.

Clearly the hard hitting journalism and insightful audience present here at I Read Stuff had an impact on Steve Jobs personally.

1 - I will buy it
2 - I'll buy it at discount
3 - Other people think it's good, but I wasn't interested when I first heard about it
M - Mainly Multiplayer. See if friends get interested.
? - Find out more about this game
PC? - Will it be released on the PC?